Karthikeyan signs up as MRF brand ambassador

Narain Karthikeyan has switched loyalties and will now be the brand ambassador for MRF. Having been associated with JK Tyres for over a decade, Narain is the only Indian to have raced in Formula One.

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Mail Today Correspondent

New Delhi

January 23, 2010

UPDATED: January 23, 2010 12:22 IST

Narain Karthikeyan has switched loyalties and will now be the brand ambassador for MRF. Having been associated with JK Tyres for over a decade, Narain is the only Indian to have raced in Formula One.

"It is an honour for me to represent MRF and join their efforts to take motor racing to the next level in India," said Karthikeyan.

Reacting to the announcement, Sanjay Sharma of JK Tyres said: "Narain was our prodigy from the time he began racing. Now that he has opted to leave us, we only wish him well and are happy for him." In his first assignment as brand ambassador for MRF, Karthikeyan will be seen in advertisements which feature a Formula 1600 cc car. Though he will not be racing the cars, he will be part of the MRF international racing events to be held at the Irungattukottai race track on the outskirts of Chennai on January 31, February 7 and 14.

Insiders said the new deal is going to benefit Karthikeyan substantially. JK Tyre said it was paying the Indian speed king Rs 50 lakh per year, while MRF is reported to have inked a deal worth Rs two crore per year for four years.

At 33, Karthikeyan is not getting younger and his hopes of staying in racing hinge on the American NASCAR and IndyCar series.

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